Kitchen Remodel of 2010

So we decided that we would redo our kitchen. It started off as redoing the counter tops (that were pealing off and had burn spots) and redoing the paint. It then turned into also getting some new appliances (a stove and dishwasher). So Justin started taking off the counter tops and decided that we should also get new cabinets. Right now we are just getting the bottom cabinets. We got the unfinished ones so that we could stain them to match the top ones. We do have a friend coming in on Saturday to help us install everything, but besides that Justin is doing it himself. Needless to say, it will be a interesting week. We have loaded up on the paper plates and we are hoping that the weather stays nice so we can grill. The boys weren't sure what to think this morning when they woke up to find no stove or kitchen sink in our house. I had an interesting morning of trying to make breakfast and lunches with no stove or sink. And to think, it will get worse before it gets better.

When I Grow Up

Tyler and Carter still always like to pretend to be "something". Usually it is still some type of animal that they pretend to be. Tyler is always the mama animal and Carter is always the baby animal. However lately, they also like to talk about and pretend to be what they will be when they grow up. Carter's is always the same. A firefighter, a giant, and a daddy. All three of them every time. He wants to be a giant because daddy is a giant. Tyler's will change depending on the day. It can be an air force pilot, an ambulance driver, a police man, etc. The common theme among all of them though is that he is helping people. Such sweet hearts they have.

Conferences

Tyler had his end of the year conference on Friday. I am so proud of how well he is doing. He improved in everything single area. He teacher told me that academically wise he is very ready for Kindergarten. He knows all his letters and sounds (the only one in his class that knows them all), can do all the counting, number recognition, and pre-reading skills that he needs. Socially however she thinks he would benefit from another year. Which is exactly what Justin and I have been thinking, and really ever since I knew he would be a September baby I knew we would hold him a year. So next year Tyler will be going to preschool 4 days a week (Carter gets to go 2 days a week). She said that while the themes maybe the same, the activities will be different and they will get into even more pre-reading skills in his class next year so he shouldn't be bored at all (not a concern of mine anyway). He has made progress socially, but he still isn't as confident or has the skills to play with the other kids like they play. He and his teacher have had a lot of talks about how to go about talking to the other kids. The other kids have also learned that Tyler, and other kids, may do things differently, and that's fine too. He can also still be very handsy at times, which obviously the other kids don't like. Tyler has learned though, that they may not play with him because of that. The only other place we need to work on is his fine motor skills, but a lot of that will come just as he gets older and matures. In his class next year he will be one of the oldest and have a couple friends with him from his class this year. I think it will be the perfect fit and I still can't get over how much he has grown this past year. We are SO proud of you Tyler!

Recap

Eek! Way to long since I have blogged. We had a wonderful time with Oma and Opa here. We got in one day of shopping (thanks Oma!) and then I got a day to go grocery shopping and running errands by myself while the boys played with Oma - always a special treat! That night Justin and I also got to go out, which of course is always needed and always very refreshing. Besides that we have been doing normal day to day things. Its crazy how busy our simple life can be!

Nate the Great

For Christmas Todd and Jessie got us a four pack of tickets to see Nate the Great at the Pikes Peak Center. I was so excited to take the boys to their first play. We read the book before hand so the boys would know about the story. We arrived early, as their were lots of booths and activities for the boys to do. They both made Nate the Great masks, watched science experiments, and Carter did some gymnastics. When we went to out seats we saw that they were great - nice and close to the stage and also an aisle just in case. We talked to them about how to behave during the play and then it was time to start. The boys were mesmerized by it and Justin and I loved watching them watch it. Carter got scared at one part where there was a big cat and asked to go home. As soon as the scene was over however he was fine again. The big cat part was Tyler's favorite part of the play. After the play was over all the kids got a special snack of milk and cookies. It was a great night and a lot of fun. We are already talking about what play we will take them to next. Thanks Todd and Jessie!!

Oma and Opa Visit!

Oma and Opa are here for a week! The boys were so excited for them to come. They both made "gifts" for them. They drew pictures and Tyler also created something from his work bench just for them. On Saturday night we all met at Todd and Jessie's new house so we could see it. They boys loved running around the house with their cousins and playing with the laughing monkeys Oma and Opa want. Our family and Oma and Opa then went to Old Chicago's. Even though it was way past their bedtimes they boys behaved very well and it was nice to sit down and chat with them.

On Sunday we met Oma and Opa at their hotel and headed off to the zoo! As we were leaving the hotel we noticed a racing club had set up a track and cars were racing around. The boys lobed watching the cars go "super fast!". We had a great time at the zoo. The boys showed Oma and Opa how to feed the giraffes on the birds. They also got to ride on the train and the carousel and give kisses to the orangutans. It was a great trip. After the zoo we headed over to Todd and Jessie's old house for dinner. Once again the cousins loved playing together. We had a great meal thanks to Jessie and a great time together.

Brotherly Love

Both Tyler and Carter already love their new baby brother so much. Everyday, and a few times a day at that, they have to give my belly a hug, a kiss, and zerbert (a raspberry to tickle the baby) for the baby. This is really fun for me when they insist on doing it in public and pull my shirt up and my maternity pants down. They discuss what we should name the baby. Carter wants to name him Carter because he wants to share his name with his brother. Tyler thinks we should name the baby something else everyday depending on who he has played with that day. Tyler talks about what he is going to do to help with the baby. He says "I have three things to do for the baby. Carry the car seat, because I am strong, feed the baby, and dress the baby." Carter also says he will help feed the baby, carry the car seat and change the baby's diaper. Justin and I are all for that! Tyler keeps insisting on buckling himself in to his car seat every time, because he needs to do that when the baby comes. Carter is making sure he can dress himself everyday for the same reason. The best part is that they are doing this without are prompting at all. I just hope this love and independence will continue once he actually gets here.

Eat, Sleep, Color

Carter is a coloring fanatic. He loves to color. At church during free play he usually asks to color a picture. When they are doing crafts and coloring sheets he is usually the last one to finish as he likes to make sure everything is colored in. At home he colors a few times everyday. He doesn't really seem to care if he has crayons, markers, or even a pen. As long as he has something to color in or to color on he is happy. He is getting to be quite good at coloring in pictures. For a three and a half year old he hardly ever goes out the lines. He likes to draw things too - and then color them in. Its no uncommon for me to look through a notebook of blank paper and see circles, squares, and triangles all over the page and all colored in. Yesterday he didn't take a nap and he actually fell asleep mid-coloring. When he woke up he wanted to finish his paper. I think have an artist on our hands.

Easter Celebrations

On Wednesday, Tyler had an Easter celebration at school. They had chapel first were they talked about Jesus' rising from the tomb. Each child was then given a purple balloon to symbolize Jesus. They went outside where Carter and I joined him, along with all the other parents and siblings, and they got to let their balloons go. As Tyler let go of his balloon he said "its going to heaven to be with Jesus!". They then had an Easter egg hunt for all the kids. All the eggs were empty and then they got to exchange them for a small bag of candy. I am sure this stopped many tears from coming. Both of the boys had a great time. They get to each one piece of candy a day, and every time Tyler has to line up every piece to decide what he wants. Carter just grabs whatever piece he gets first and eats it up.

On Easter we had planned on going to service and bringing the boys into church with us. However we all slept in some (even the boys) and decided just do our own thing at home. We gave the boys their baskets and then explained to them why they got them (a small gift to to symbolize the greatest gift Jesus gave us). We then just had a fun day hanging out at home. The boys enjoyed helping Justin fixing the fence and playing outside. We then made Resurrection rolls, which the boys thought were so cool! Then for a special quiet time treat they got to watch a movie. For dinner Justin made a ham, very yummy. Then it was onto the egg hunt in the backyard followed by a family walk. It was a very fun, relaxing Easter day!

20 week Appointment

I had my 20 week appointment yesterday. Carter came with me and behaved so well. I was very proud of him. We heard the little heartbeat right away, but he is a very active boy so we only heard it for a few seconds before he moved away from it. The doctor is not going to change my due date, but we are going to assume he will be a big baby. I set up my ultrasound for 28 weeks to check my placenta for the end of May. I also confirmed that I will get another ultrasound at 38 weeks (or maybe before) to check his size. Most likely we will being having this baby when I am around 38-39 weeks, so I am already more than half way through! Here is a belly shot from today at 20 weeks.